told all thou ever didst? Has it not displayed the glorious character of God; given a perfect rule of duty; discovered thy danger and remedy; produced peace and purity? Has it ever misled thee; ever deceived thee? Where else will you look for the words of eternal life?

SECONDLY: We are blameworthy if ever we doubt of Christ's ability to save at last, all who come unto God by him. Is he not the true Messiah? How many prophecies have been fulfilled! What sense can we otherwise make of the Jewish dispensation? Is he not Immanuel? Has he not been obedient unto death? Did not God the Father seal his mission? Has not the Spirit confirmed it? Is he not the end of the law? Was not his obedience glorious? Were not his sufferings vicarious; and quite sufficient to answer the end of the original threatening?

THIRDLY: If ever we question Christ's willingness to receive the coming sinner, we are criminal. He has given us as much proof of his willingness as of his power. The assurance that he is "able to save to the uttermost all them that come unto God by him," includes this. He can find in his heart to save the unworthiest and guiltiest. It was designed that all saved by him should be to the praise of the glory of his grace. His death was needful for none but them that deserved to die. He has declared, "Him that cometh to me, I will in nowise cast out: " and no instance can be found of his falsifying his word.

FOURTHLY: If we doubt of the sufficiency of Christ's grace to help all those who would live on his fulness, and conform to his will. Though without him you can do nothing, cannot you do all things through Christ strengthening you? Had Paul any more strength of his own, or had he less to do, or to undergo, than you? Is not Christ's strength made perfect in your weakness? Is not your extremity his opportunity? Can any thing be too hard for the Lord? Does he send you on a warfare at your own charges?

FIFTHLY If we doubt the attention of Christ's providence to our temporal necessities, though we have been helped to trust him with our souls. Has he died to save your

souls, and will he starve your bodies? "Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?" Does not he clothe the lilies and the tulips, and feed the ravens and the lions? Is not godliness profitable for all things, having the promise of" the life that now is, and of that which is to come."? Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." "Trust in the Lord and do good, and verily thou shalt be fed.”

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SIXTHLY: If we doubt of Christ's faithfulness to give heaven at last, to all who are desirous of it and willing to receive it as a free gift. "Fear not, little flock: it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." He has formed you for it, and given you the earnest. 2 Cor. v. 5. Light, holiness, and joy, are pledges of their perfection.

Let us carefully examine ourselves, if we have embraced the gospel. If you know your own mind, God has told you his. Be thankful for what the sacred scriptures have revealed. You need not want the Bible to say more than it does.

LVIII.

THE NECESSITY OF SELF-DENIAL.

MATT. xvi. 24.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

THESE words are very positive. What shall we do with them? Can we all make them so accord with our practice, as to prove we are true Christians? If that be difficult, shall we attempt to lower their meaning, and bring them down to our level? Or shall we endeavor to exempt ourselves from this text, and confine it to the apostles or primitive Christians? Can this be done? Would it not be better to try to ascertain the full import of the words, and labor to conform to them?

Let us,

FIRST, Reflect whose words they are.

He that spake them was infallibly wise, and could not be

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mistaken. He knew what his followers must expect, and was too honest to deceive them. He is infinitely kind, and did not utter this declaration from an unfeeling neglect of our true interests. He did not prescribe that to others, to which he refused to submit himself. It fitted his lips. He went before in the same track; he pleased not himself; he did not aim at self-indulgence. While he prescribed selfdenial, he did not seek a private self-interest; nor aim at his own glory, ease, or enjoyment. When he took upon him the form of a servant, all he regarded was obedience; and he accomplished the end for which he was sent. John v. 30. He could not indeed deny the truth; (John viii. 55.) but he was willing to waive insisting upon it; to act as a delegate; and to be treated by men as very different from what he really was-and this, not only for his Father's sake, but for ours. Yes, he so identified his interest with his people's, that he was even willing to be treated by his dear Father as they had deserved to be treated, that they might consequently be treated as he deserved to be treated, even as God's dear children. This was the highest act of self-denial that ever was! Now then, we should be willing to be identified with him; and if men are such bad judges of excellence as to despise him, we should be willing to be despised too, for his sake. Let them that contemn him, also contemn us; if he that approved him, will but approve us. If he who was so worthy, was willing to be set at nought; why should we, who are so unworthy, want to be made much of ? These

are the words of Him who will be our Judge, who will decide on our character, and determine our final doom; and who will not let any one lose by him at last.

SECONDLY: Examine their import, extent, and meaning. If any one is willing to come after me.-Whoever is willing may, if he will take the right road. Christ is gone before his people. He is entered into rest, entered into glory; but he passed through toil, ignominy, and suffering: and if any one would come after him, and reach the mansions of which he has taken possession, he must go the road Jesus has marked out, and which he himself went. So the Apostle warned the first Christians, that through much tribulation,

they must enter the kingdom. We must, more or less, be baptized with his baptism.

Let him deny himself.-Without self-denial, Christ cannot be cordially received in his various offices, as prophet, priest, and king. If any one would be Christ's disciple, he must deny his own wisdom, that he may learn of him. He must be willing to be instructed, submit to his decisions, and embrace the truth as it is in Jesus. In him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge: the only-begotten of the Father, he hath revealed him.. If any one would

have the benefit of Christ's mediation, let him deny selfrighteousness, confess his guilt and demerit, and own himself worthy of death. If self would make any claim contrary to the honor of Christ, deny it. If any one would inherit Christ's kingdom, let him deny his own will, be subject to his authority, and conform to his will. Let him deny his own sufficiency, and rely entirely on the grace and strength of Christ. The self-denial here required is a very extensive duty. Let him abstain from all God has forbidden. If sin is become as it were a second self, how proper is it that we should deny it, mortify it, and crucify it! "The grace of God, (says the Apostle,) teaches us to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts;" that is, to guard against every thing that implies an undervaluing of God, or an over-valuing of the world. If the essence of sin consists in selfishness, or the pursuing a private interest, not subordinate to the glory of God, nor connected with the good of others; surely self-denial must be essential to the character of a Christian. If self requests any thing God has forbidden, he must deny it peremptorily. Let him comply with all God has commanded, notwithstanding all the opposition he may encounter. Follow the Lord fully; follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth; through evil report or good; by honor or by dishonor. I am not my own; I am under law to God; and must do as he commands, without deviating from his will. Submit then, to all he has appointed. Be still, and know that he is God. Suffer for God, as well as act for God. Christ did so, and shall not we? Let God choose for us; we have no right to choose for ourselves; nor are we competent so to do. Who

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can tell what is good for a man of all that is before him, in this vain life?" Watch over all the appetites of the body, lest they assume an inordinate influence over the mind, and so lead you to disobey or dishonor God. Guard, not only against all intemperance, impurity, or dishonesty ; but against all undue attachment to the most lawful worldly enjoyments. Covetousness is idolatry; and earthly things may be idolized by those who are not penurious or extortionate. Be at least equally aware of the lusts of the mind, pride, self-righteousness, and self-sufficiency, which would derogate from the honor of God our Saviour. Be prepared to part with

any thing in the world, or with all the world, if God should call you to it.

Let him take up his cross.-That is, Let him be prepared to endure ignominy, torture, and death for my sake, if he should be called to it,. as he probably may. Nor will he, who is prepared to suffer all extremities rather than deny Christ formally, be reluctant to undergo slighter evils rather than deny him practically. We are elsewhere taught to

crucify the flesh; that is, to treat self, or sinful selfishness in every form, including self-righteousness as well as selfindulgence, even every thing opposed to God's honor and glory, as a malefactor, that deserves death; an ignominious death, for it is a thief and a robber. Let it die unpitied, be its death ever so painful.

And let him follow me.-That is, Let him eye my example continually; remembering how I sought God's glory, and man's good; and endured the contradiction of sinners against myself for so doing. I came, not to be ministered unto, but to minister. I showed that true greatness consists, not in making many serviceable to one, but in one's effectually serving many. I accounted it more blessed to give than to receive. So do ye. Let all constantly look to me for succor and aid. My grace is sufficient; my strength is made perfect in weakness. The Christian can say, with Paul, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.". Let him expect living with me to be a sufficient recompense for all toils and troubles, losses and sufferings. Ver. 25-27.